Dietary Fat vs. Total Energy Restriction
for Weight Loss
Weight Loss Study Aim
Dietary fat restriction is currently being promoted as a weight loss strategy.
However, previous investigations suggest that fat restriction alone may
not be more beneficial than total energy restriction for the treatment
of obesity. The purpose of this project was to assess whether an energy-restricted
or fat-restricted diet was more effective at promoting weight loss, improving
eating behaviors, and reducing barriers to dietary adherence. Eighty individuals
(15 men and 65 women) were randomized into the two treatment conditions.
Subjects were 120 percent to 140 percent of ideal body weight and 25 years
to 45 years old. Treatment consisted of 24 weeks of dietary fat (22 g/day
to 26 g/day) or energy restriction (4,186 kJ/day to 5,023 kJ/day), including
behavior modification and exercise. Body weight change, dietary intake,
eating behaviors, and barriers to adherence were measured at baseline
and after treatment.
Weight Loss Study Results
Results show that subjects in the energy-restricted condition lost over
twice as much weight as those in the fat-restricted group (11.5 kg vs.
5.2 kg). Additionally, subjects in the low-energy condition had greater
improvements in eating behavior scores, enhanced feelings of wellness,
a greater distaste for dietary fat, and no more pronounced feelings of
deprivation than did those in the fat-restricted condition.
Weight Loss Study Issues
An energy-restricted diet produces greater short-term weight loss than
dietary fat restriction without many of the negative consequences commonly
attributed to reducing energy intake.
Source: Harvey-Berino J. University of
Vermont, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Burlington, USA. 1998
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